An Act to protect health care consumers from surprise billing

This bill amends Massachusetts health laws to protect patients from unexpected facility fees charged by non-hospital medical settings. It restricts these fees to services provided on hospital campuses, in hospital emergency departments, or at licensed satellite emergency facilities, while allowing the state to designate other services that can safely be offered outside hospitals. Providers must give patients clear written notice about potential fees before appointments or upon arrival, and facilities must clearly identify their hospital affiliation in signage and marketing materials. The legislation also requires posted warnings about higher costs at these locations and mandates that providers inform patients if a previously fee-free site begins charging fees. Non-compliance with these rules could result in fines of up to $1,000 per occurrence.